At least 24 people have died in forest fires in the southeast of the Republic of Korea. This was reported by the central disaster management and security headquarters.

According to its data, 12 people were seriously injured, and 14 others suffered minor injuries. Earlier, 15 casualties were reported.

On Wednesday, acting President and Prime Minister Han Dok-soo called the wildfires “the worst in the history” of the Republic of Korea. According to the prime minister, about 23,000 people have been evacuated. A Sikorsky S76 helicopter crashed Wednesday while fighting the fire. The 73-year-old pilot died.

Fires in the southeast of the country have been raging since March 21. Authorities do not rule out that the cause could be careless handling of fire. Extinguishing is complicated by strong winds and dry weather. Disaster mode has been declared in three regions - Ulsan city, Gyeongsang-Pukdo, and Gyeongsang-Namdo provinces. A total of 128 helicopters, more than 1,100 military personnel, about 3,100 firefighters, 1,100 forest firefighting specialists, and about 4,600 civil servants were involved in fighting the fire.